Environmental Justice and Activism in Indianapolis

Trevor Fuller, the author of Environmental Justice and Activism in Indianapolis, is an associate professor of geography at the State University of New York at Oneonta. His book relates his research work to “the development of activism (or lack thereof) among residents in response to similar urban environmental injustices”, in order to understand why responses vary (page 1). Contributing to the fields of environmental justice and political economy in particular, Fuller presents detailed analysis of two study areas in Indianapolis, Indiana, both of which experience certain environmental hazards. His analysis draws upon concepts of social capital, place attachment and race, among others. Using a variety of qualitative and quantitative research methods, Fuller provides a range of data to support his analysis. Thus this book fills a gap in the existing literature on the “comparative analysis of environmentally damaged communities in terms of why one community becomes socially active while others do not” (page 2).

Chapter 1 outlines Fuller’s research and introduces his two study areas: Martindale-Brightwood, near the east side of Indianapolis, and West Indianapolis. It also presents his four guiding research objectives. Chapter 2 subsequently frames the research with a review of environmental justice, and presents the political economy framework through which varying levels and types of environmental activism in the study areas are interpreted (page 24). In Chapter 3 Fuller details the methods used to gather data from the two study areas in order to fulfil his research objectives. These include GIS, environmental histories, survey methods and in-depth interviews (page 27).

The following four chapters unpick the data gathered. Chapter 4 examines the city’s history, showing the interconnections between environmental and other aspects there. In Chapter 5 “the predominant environmental issues throughout the City of Indianapolis as a whole” and their spatial distribution, particularly in the two study areas, are discussed (page 47). This leads to a discussion of brownfields, superfund sites, toxic release inventory sites and industrial waste generators (page 66). Chapter 6 proceeds to examine “the relationship between environmental activism and place attachment, social capital and environmental perceptions” in the two study areas and their potential to shape environmental activism (pages 69–70). In Chapter 7 Fuller highlights the interactions the study areas have had with governmental, non-governmental and corporate organizations, and examines how these organizations can influence the development of environmental activism among residents (pages 90 and 116).

Chapter 8 summarizes how Fuller has addressed his research questions and contributed to the literature. In addition it provides direction for further research in this area.

Based on intensive research, Environmental Justice and Activism in Indianapolis is surprisingly easy to read and digest. It is a useful resource for scholars, in particular environmental, historical, political and social geographers.

Book note prepared by Hannah Keren Lee